<
http://asmeratimes.com/index.php/using-joomla/extensions/components/content
-component/article-categories/89-press-release-italy> Press Release: Italy
Category:
<
http://asmeratimes.com/index.php/using-joomla/extensions/components/content
-component/article-categories> Sample Data-Articles
Published on 16 October 2014
Written by By Italy - Ministry of Foreign Affairs
ROME, Italy, October 17, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- "Today in
Khartoum we have achieved a hugely important advance in relations with the
African countries for stronger and more effective cooperation in combating
the trade in and trafficking of human beings in the Mediterranean, and
irregular migration".
The Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Lapo
Pistelli, has returned to Sudan to take part in the Regional Conference on
Human Trafficking and Smuggling in the Horn of Africa. The Conference was
organised by the African Union (AU) with support from the International
Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations High Commissioner
for Refugees (UNHCR). Deputy Minister Pistelli was attending in his dual
role as Head of the Italian Delegation and Representative of the Presidency
of the Council of the European Union. This was his second visit to Sudan
this year, following his mission a few months ago to bring Meriam Ibrahim,
the young woman condemned to death for apostasy, to Italy.
The Conference marked the opening of an enhanced dialogue between the
countries of Africa and the European Union, at the initiative of the Italian
Presidency, which has made migration a priority issue. The "Khartoum
Process", as it is now informally called, echoing the Rabat Process, will be
launched in Rome on 28 November 2014 during a ministerial conference. The
conference will be attended by representatives of the countries of origin
and transit on the main route for migrants heading for Europe: the "Horn of
Africa Migratory Route".
Pistelli underscored that the Khartoum Process will provide a framework of
reference - which so far has been lacking - with a view to developing a
structured policy and operational dialogue on how best to manage migration
between the European Union and the countries of the Horn of Africa.
In his speech, the Deputy Minister also recalled - to the applause of all
participants - Italy's commitment to search and rescue (SAR) activities,
most notably the Mare Nostrum operation. Since it was launched in the wake
of the Lampedusa tragedy, Mare Nostrum has saved over 100,000 people and
arrested over 500 traffickers. At Italy's initiative, it will soon be
supplemented by "Triton", an operation launched by the European Union's
Frontex agency.
"Let's be brave, let's go together". With these words, addressed as much to
the EU member states as to the African countries, Deputy minister Pistelli
concluded by reiterating the importance of continuing along the pathway
opened up by Italy. A pathway that at last sees the countries of origin,
destination and transit of migratory flows working together.
Addressing the countries of origin, he underscored that combating people
trafficking and smuggling is just the first step in a more ambitious course
that aims to tackle the deeper causes of unregulated migration. In this
respect, he underlined the close link between migration and development.
"Italy and the European Union view development cooperation as the best route
to limit migration flows. Working to provide better living conditions also
gives Africans the right to stay in their own land", concluded Pistelli.
Received on Fri Oct 17 2014 - 12:45:13 EDT